chicago — The visual impact of the 2017 International Floriculture Expo held here June 13-15 nearly knocked my socks off with its vast display of spectacular floral products. Though usually considered a domestic flower grower exhibition, this year’s edition of the show included farmers from Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, and more. There were 225 exhibitors on the show floor, including 30 new companies. In addition, several bouquet companies really outdid... Read more

The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association announced its 2017-18 elected officers in a news release. The elections took place June 23 as part of the FNGLA Annual Convention in Fort Lauderdale, FL. FNGLA’s 2017-18 officers: President-elect Will Womack, owner at Tampa Bay Landscaping in Tampa, FL; President Ed Bravo, partner at Big Trees Plantation, Inc. in Ocala; Past President Robert Shoelson, owner and president at Getting Green Plant Service... Read more

Members of the Society of American Florists will vote for three new members for its board of directors during SAF Palm Beach 2017 Sept. 6-9 in Florida, according to a news release. “The future of SAF and the quality of SAF programming is affected in large part by the caliber of SAF volunteer leaders, particularly the members of the SAF board of directors,” said SAF chairman Shirley Lyons in the release. The candidates for the board of directors are: Patrick... Read more

Georgia-based burton+BURTON announced in a news release the addition of Edward Muñoz to its education team. Taking on the role of Education Balloon Specialist and Visual Designer, he will use his talents to teach burton+BURTON customers and employees about balloon décor and balloon art, as well as working with the visual team. He is an international award-winning instructor who has taught in Puerto Rico, Portugal and Spain. Edward Muñoz“Adding... Read more

Minnesota-based Coborn’s Inc. hired Susan DeMuth as its new floral category manager and she will report to Tom Williams, director of produce and floral merchandising, according to a company news release. DeMuth has 34 years of floral experience, most recently at SpartanNash in Edina, MN, where she held the position of floral merchandising manager for 10 years, overseeing the retail and wholesale floral categories for its corporately owned and independent stores. Susan... Read more

Rita Peters retired in June as assistant vice president of floral operations at Hy-Vee in West Des Moines, Iowa. She began her career with Hy-Vee in 1988 as a floral manager in Spencer, IA, and for decades she served as the foundation of Hy-Vee’s floral business, according to a company news release. Rita PetersThroughout her career at Hy-Vee, Peters served in several different roles, including floral supervisor, assistant director of floral operations, and... Read more

The Wholesale Florists and Florist Supplier Association announced in a news release its 2017 Road Trip stops for this year’s Management Institute Aug. 1-4 in Denver. For a registration fee of $100, visit and learn from the following locations in retail, wholesale and event floral management: 1st stop: Bouquets 2nd stop: Amato Wholesale Florist 3rd stop: Denver Wholesale Florist (lunch will be provided) 4th stop: Retail Florist TBA 5th stop: Tagawa Greenhouses Tagawa... Read more

The Society of American Florists 2017 Petal It Forward campaign date is set for Oct. 11 and according to Jennifer Sparks, SAF’s vice president of marketing, “now is the time to lay the groundwork for your local Petal It Forward 2017 event.” “Petal It Forward is a ‘random acts of kindness’ type of flower giveaway, where consumers on the street receive two flower bouquets or flowers — one to keep and one to share —... Read more

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Georgia-based burton+BURTON, Ballooniversity is returning to Athens, GA, Aug. 9-12, and this year’s theme is Sunset Safari. This event only happens every five years and florists and balloon artists from all over the world have the opportunity to learn from top balloon, floral and business industry leaders, as well as celebrity instructors, according to a news release. “We are thrilled to mark burton+BURTON’s... Read more

For schedule updates, the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers website is www.cafgs.org/fun-n-sun-2017. Wednesday, Aug. 9 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fun ‘N Sun Golf Tournament at Aviara Golf Club 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Registration 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Welcome Reception & Cocktail Party 5:30 p.m.-Noon Aug. 12 All California Floral Display 7 p.m.-10 p.m. “More Americans Enjoying More Flowers More Often” Thursday, Aug. 10 6 a.m.-7:30 a.m.... Read more

Trends are omnipresent in our very visual floral industry and every company seems to have its own version. The key to utilizing trends is to look for commonalities and also for the trends that apply to your specific markets. For example, what’s hot in Texas may not be as popular in Iowa. Our team travels the world each year compiling trends across industries and we use these trends to drive innovative product development. We hone in on flower friendly color... Read more

Netherlands-based Chrysal International has been providing the worldwide floral and plant industries with flower care products for more than 85 years. Now they are launching some new items that will help your business distinguish itself and will keep your flowers beautiful even longer. Chrysal Customized Sachets allow you to have your own branded flower food sachets, which is akin to having your business card on every bouquet of flowers you sell. You could also... Read more

Potted plants present a promising market for mass-market retailers that want to grow floral category sales. But, just as with cut flowers, care must be taken to realize this market’s potential. As with any business endeavor, retailers should know their market and invest appropriately, advise floral experts from the Produce Marketing Association. Supermarket floral departments already connect with customers emotionally, selling beauty and color for their homes... Read more

It always bothers me to walk into a supermarket floral department and see dead or dying flowers, slimy water buckets, potted plants with spent blooms and no staff to be found. It makes me question the freshness and quality in other store departments, it demonstrates poor customer service and it reinforces the public opinion that flowers aren’t worth buying because they simply don’t last. As Lisa McVey states in this issue’s article, Chrysal International... Read more

The Produce Marketing Association hosted Fresh Connections: Floral Anaheim on June 8, the first of its two U.S. regional events this year designed to help professionals in the mass-market floral supply chain gain insights into trends and network to increase sales. Around 83 people attended the Anaheim, CA, event and PMA’s second event, Fresh Connections: Floral Miami, is scheduled for July 13. Joe Bischoff, senior vice president at Cornerstone Government... Read more

The California Association of Flower Growers and Shippers’ Fun ‘N Sun Floral Convention Aug. 9-12 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA, will be four days devoted to California flowers and the floral industry, according to the association’s website. Under the banner “Still Blooming Through the Ages After 75 Years,” the event marks an important anniversary for the CalFlowers organization and it boasts “it is the largest... Read more

The Society of American Florists 133rd annual convention will meet at the Breakers in Palm Beach, FL, Sept. 6-9 and it promises to provide attendees with “world-class business training, powerful connections and creative inspiration,” according to a news release. Jamie Notter“One of my favorite benefits of SAF membership is the annual convention,” said Martin Meskers, owner at Oregon Flowers in Aurora, OR, and president at SAF, in a written... Read more

The Southern California Fresh Produce & Floral Council Expo, “Get in the Game!” will meet on July 18 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA, and will feature a Floral Design Contest, which is open to designers with any level of experience. Every contestant will be provided with a mystery box of supplies at 10 a.m. and a theme will be announced at the event. Awards for first, second and third place in categories for different experience levels will... Read more

American Grown Flowers were front and center May 4 in the Grand Ballroom of the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, at the 105th First Lady’s Luncheon honoring Melania Trump. This springtime tradition is hosted annually by the Congressional Club, which was founded in 1908 and is made up of spouses of members of the House, Senate, and Supreme Court. Since 1912, the Congressional Club has honored the current first lady of the United States at this event, which... Read more

The Wholesale Florist & Florist Supplier Association’s 2017 Management Institute will take place Aug. 1-4 at the Embassy Suites Denver Downtown and it is filling up fast, according to the association’s website. The three-day event includes educational programming, networking opportunities, and WF&FSA’s Emerging Leaders Road Trip, where participants will visit some of top wholesale, event, retail, and production facilities in the Denver... Read more